MASON CITY, Iowa – The public library is a great resource for learning about things, like solar panels and now the Mason City Public Library will be a place you can see them.

The library is moving forward on a project to install solar panels on the roof of their building.

Mary Markwalter, the director of the library tells us that Mason City officials have already approved the capital improvement funds for the project and recently, they received a $25,000 grant from the Kinney-Lindstrom Foundation.

It’s an out-of-the-box idea, but it’s something Markwalter tells us, just makes sense for their location.

“We have direct sunlight on all of those roofs,” she explains, “so Alliant inspected it to see how it would work, and if it was even feasible and they thought it was as well.”

Markwalter says it’s an idea that was thought of after she attended solar energy forum that came to town.

She says that they hope this investment will be paid back within the next 10 years.